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Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution based on Debian, widely used for servers, cloud computing, and containerized applications. Ubuntu services in Zerops provide a flexible base environment for running applications built with technologies that aren’t officially supported by Zerops, or for custom setups requiring full control over the runtime environment.

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Getting Started

Ubuntu services give you a blank canvas to build upon. You can:
  • Install any software packages you need
  • Configure custom runtime environments
  • Run applications in languages not natively supported by Zerops
  • Create specialized development or testing environments

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Creating an Ubuntu Service

You can create an Ubuntu service using:
  1. Zerops GUI - Through the web interface when adding a new service
  2. zCLI - Using the command-line interface

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Configuration Example

services:
  - hostname: app
    type: ubuntu@24

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Build and Runtime Configuration

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Customize Build Environment

Use the build phase to install dependencies and prepare your application: 
zerops:
  - setup: app
    build:
      base: ubuntu@24
      buildCommands:
        - apt-get update
        - apt-get install -y python3 python3-pip
        - pip3 install -r requirements.txt
      deployFiles:
        - app/
        - requirements.txt

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Customize Runtime Environment

Configure how your application runs: 
zerops:
  - setup: app
    run:
      base: ubuntu@24
      prepareCommands:
        - apt-get update
        - apt-get install -y python3
      start: python3 app/main.py
      ports:
        - port: 8080
          httpSupport: true

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Scaling Configuration

Ubuntu services support both horizontal and vertical scaling: 
zerops:
  - setup: app
    # ... other config
    verticalAutoscaling:
      minCpu: 1
      maxCpu: 5
      minRam: 0.5
      maxRam: 4
    horizontalAutoscaling:
      minContainers: 1
      maxContainers: 3
This ensures your service runs smoothly while using only necessary resources.

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Use Cases

Ubuntu services are ideal for:
  • Custom Technology Stacks - Languages or frameworks not officially supported by Zerops
  • Legacy Applications - Running older applications with specific dependency requirements
  • Testing Environments - Creating isolated environments for testing
  • Specialized Tools - Running domain-specific software or tools
  • Research & Development - Experimental projects requiring custom configurations

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Common Patterns

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Installing System Dependencies

build:
  buildCommands:
    - apt-get update
    - apt-get install -y build-essential curl git

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Managing Application Dependencies

build:
  buildCommands:
    - pip3 install -r requirements.txt
    # or
    - bundle install
    # or
    - composer install

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Multi-Stage Builds

build:
  buildCommands:
    # Install build dependencies
    - apt-get update
    - apt-get install -y build-essential
    # Build application
    - make build
  deployFiles:
    # Only deploy built artifacts
    - dist/

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Best Practices

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Performance

  • Install only necessary packages to reduce image size
  • Use package manager caching where possible
  • Optimize startup commands for faster container initialization

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Security

  • Keep system packages updated
  • Remove unnecessary packages after build
  • Use environment variables for sensitive configuration
  • Follow principle of least privilege

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Maintainability

  • Document custom installation steps
  • Use version pinning for dependencies
  • Keep build and runtime configurations separate
  • Test configuration changes in development first

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Support

Need help getting started with Ubuntu services?
  • Join our Discord community - Get help from our team and other members
  • Check the documentation for specific how-to guides
  • Share your knowledge and help others in the community

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